I'm goin' in!! Seasoning an old cast iron pan.
- Thread starter mdboatbum
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kc5tpy
Master of the Pit
thsmormonsmokes
Smoking Fanatic
That's awesome. I've re-seasoned a few cast iron tools before. It never ceases to impress me how well it cleans up if you do it right.
I've used EVOO to season mine. There's a fair amount of dispute of whether it's better to use animal fats or vegetable fats for re-seasoning. All I know is that after one coat re-seasoning with EVOO, every dutch oven I've done comes back looking better than it did when it was new. I should probably just use vegetable oil because it's cheaper.
Great work. This is why I keep an eye out for cheap, beat up cast iron cookware at garage sales, thrift stores, etc... A little TLC and you've got basically brand new stuff.
I've used EVOO to season mine. There's a fair amount of dispute of whether it's better to use animal fats or vegetable fats for re-seasoning. All I know is that after one coat re-seasoning with EVOO, every dutch oven I've done comes back looking better than it did when it was new. I should probably just use vegetable oil because it's cheaper.
Great work. This is why I keep an eye out for cheap, beat up cast iron cookware at garage sales, thrift stores, etc... A little TLC and you've got basically brand new stuff.
I've used EVOO, shortening, lard and bacon fat in the past with ok but not really great results. I think the trick to the flax oil is that it's the only edible "hardening" oil. With other oils, you have to essentially cook out everything but the carbon, which then sticks to the metal. Flax oil seems to work pretty much the same way, but from what I've read it contains more of the stuff that stays behind (carbon? The article said it had six times the fatty acids of other oils) and the coating actually bonds with the metal better.
I'll update after each subsequent coating.
3 coats done and it's getting shinier but a tad brown and blotchy. I think it's just the buildup of the seasoning. Doesn't look bad, but not as perfect and uniform as it did after the first coat. 4 more to go!
Md it has been my experience that as you apply more coats you will get the blotchy brown spots. I'm not sure why but all of mine have done that.
ajbert
Smoking Fanatic
I did the flax seed oil to an old skillet of mine and was amazed at the results. Fried an egg in it to test it out, without any oil or butter, just to test it out. The egg slid out better than any non-stick pan I've ever used! Don't worry about the blotchiness. Is blotchiness even a word? You'll be more the happy with the result!
hambone1950
Master of the Pit
guruatbol
Meat Mopper
I love to cook with cast iron. I have a griddle I use all the time and frankly it sticks less than the expensive nonstick stuff we own. I use canola oil and kosher salt to season and clean my pan.
Heat the pan up and add some oil and some kosher salt. I started with paper towels, but we don't like to generate that much trash, so I use a rag and the salt is abrasive and when you rub it with the cloth it will clean it and season it. I never thought of flaxoil, but I am going to try it for sure!
Mel
Heat the pan up and add some oil and some kosher salt. I started with paper towels, but we don't like to generate that much trash, so I use a rag and the salt is abrasive and when you rub it with the cloth it will clean it and season it. I never thought of flaxoil, but I am going to try it for sure!
Mel
IMHO If its blotchy in places you are applying too much flaxseed oil. You need to wipe off all the excess flaxseed oil and do it in light coats. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/137622/the-ultimate-way-to-season-cast-iron-flaxseed-oil
That's what I would have thought too, except I'd read several articles (including the one you linked which is where I got the idea in the first place) and was very careful to apply as thin a coat as possible. I wiped it with a fresh paper towel after each application and made absolutely sure there was no excess. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't look bad by any means, just not glassy black yet. I still need to do another couple coats today and will post more pics.
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I did 5 coats and I need to do more but my pan got used at the SFLG and the bottom of the pan has some matirial embedded in it and when I went to reseason it didnt stick to where those spots are so I am going to scrub the bottom heavily with some salt to remove any foriegn material and restart my seasoning process...... My pain is my wife buys the cheap paper towels and I have to get tiny paper towel specks off the pan before I reseason....
Ok, we're getting to the home stretch here. I did 4 coats yesterday then it was requested that I stop monopolizing the oven so we could prepare dinner.
The first 2 photos are after coat #4
You can sort of see the brown and splotchy finish I was talking about.
These next 2 are after coat #5 which I just finished. It's getting a good bit more glossy and evening out, as well as getting blacker.
The first 2 photos are after coat #4
You can sort of see the brown and splotchy finish I was talking about.
These next 2 are after coat #5 which I just finished. It's getting a good bit more glossy and evening out, as well as getting blacker.
I stopped at 3 coats and it was a little blotchy like your pics. It looks like I should have added more coats.
leah elisheva
Master of the Pit
This entire thing has reminded me that I need a maid. And that I need to scour more. And that you are amazing! Fantastic doings! BRAVO! Your wife's family should be quite proud!!!! Cheers! - Leah
You realize if you get it looking too good, you'll not want to use them and get them dirty. You''ll have to start storing them in paper bags and build a special DO locker to keep 'em safe!
Lookin good Md.
Lookin good Md.
I think I need a maid now too!! I just spoke to the in-laws and told them about the progress. I may have shot myself in the foot. I was "invited" to give the same treatment to an entire cupboard of cast iron cookware at their cabin. I see a long weekend of flax oil fun in my future!
I was just thinking the same thing Foam. I'm probably gonna be rather fussy about the finish for a while, but I think I'll get over it before too long. Coat #6 is about halfway done in the oven...
Remarkable! Cant believe how you brought that pan back. I'd give it a test run for Sunday breakfast.
Ok, we're getting to the home stretch here. I did 4 coats yesterday then it was requested that I stop monopolizing the oven so we could prepare dinner.
The first 2 photos are after coat #4
You can sort of see the brown and splotchy finish I was talking about.
These next 2 are after coat #5 which I just finished. It's getting a good bit more glossy and evening out, as well as getting blacker.
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